The Acronym Jungle
While you were away, the MIJ reported that MEC had a power outage, MWSC upped the water days to seven, MISSA won a case in court, water flooded the ECC, and, FYI, I’ve switched my money from BOG to BOMI.
The Waan Aelon in Majel (WAM) Visitors Center. Photo: Karen Earnshaw
Acronym heaven: One aspect that’s extremely likely to send you up a tree in your first week in Majuro is the locals’ love for acronyms, many of which turn conversations into a pile of mumbo-jumbo. A case in point would be the following conversation:
Bloke A: “I just got in on AMI and have to be at WAM (its Visitors Center pictured) by one for a meeting. After that you can find me at the MIC.”
Bloke B: “While you were away, the MIJ reported that MEC had a power outage, MWSC upped the water days to seven, MISSA won a case in court, water flooded the ECC, and, FYI, I’ve switched my money from BOG to BOMI.” Bloke A: “Don’t bore me with the details. Just be sure to order me a G&T to have with my IQ when I see you in the pm.”
Acronym babble is so confusing, the following is the incomplete guide to letter-joining in RMI:
ADB: Asian Development Bank
AG: Attorney General or Auditor General
AHS: Assumption High School
AMI: Air Marshall Islands
AOG: Assembly of God
BOMI: Bank of Marshall Islands
CMI: College of the Marshall Islands
DES: Delap Elementary School (plus, for example, RES for Rita Elementary)
ECC: Educational and Cultural Center
EPA: Environmental Protection Authority
EPPSO: Economic Policy Planning & Statistics Office
FAA: Federal Aviation Administration (US)
FAMI: Filipino Association Marshall Islands
ICC: International Convention Center (next to the Capital Building)
MALGov: Majuro Atoll Local Government (plus, for example, RALGov for Rongelap, etc.)
MBC: Marshalls Billfish Club
MBC: Marshalls Broadcasting Company
MEC: Marshalls Energy Company
MIC: Marshall Islands Club
MICNGOs: Marshall Islands Council of Non-Government Organizations
MIHS: Marshall Islands High School
MIMRA: Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority
MIPA: Marshall Islands Ports Authority
MIR: Marshall Islands Resort
MISSA: Marshall Islands Social Security Administration
MIVA: Marshall Islands Visitors Authority
MOH: Ministry of Health (plus, for example, MOE for Ministry of Education)
MST: Majuro Stevedore & Terminal Co.
MWSC: Majuro Water and Sewer Company
NCT: Nuclear Claims Tribunal
NTA: National Telecommunications Authority
NTC: National Training Council
PII: Pacific International Inc.
PSC: Public Service Commission
R&D: Ministry of Resources and Development
RMI: Republic of the Marshall Islands
ROC: Republic of China (Taiwan)
RRE: Robert Reimers Enterprises
SDA: Seventh Day Adventists
T&C: Ministry of Transport & Communications
USP: University of the South Pacific
WAM: Waan Aelon in Majel (Canoes of the Marshall Islands)
